Where to begin? I haven't been very active on this blog for many months. Should I return and continue posting, or abandon this site to be lost in the crevices of the interwebs?
Lots has happened since my last visit here. I scored yet another short film; revised the score to Gabriel Everson's short film Unmerited (which I originally composed in May of this year); joined the forces of seven other composers in producing a cinematic album of Christmas music; and begun collaboration with composer James Everingham of the UK.
So back in August of this year, up-and-coming director Michael Payne Jr. had posted on an online forum about needing a composer to work on his short film Jamie Douglas: A Scottish Martyr. I messaged him, we talked about what he was thinking music-wise, and before I knew it I was composing full speed ahead on the score! The film is a historical drama based in The Killing Time of Scotland (1600s) and, as the name implies, follows the life of a young martyr. As you can imagine, the film provided a setting for some very dark, heavy music. The trick, though, was not in creating a dark soundscape, but in using this darkness as a contrast to light and ultimate victory.
The film has not yet been released, but it should up on YouTube for free viewing pretty soon. For now, you can listen to the soundtrack on my SoundCoud page (I've embedded it below) and even buy it on BandCamp! (It's only $5.00). https://composerdaniel.bandcamp.com/
For more details on the film and to see the trailer, visit http://www.scottishmartyr.com/
Moving on.
Rehashing old work is never fun, but after Gabriel Everson re-edited Unmerited, a revision of the score so it could fit the new edit was a must. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad I did it. The film is now available for public viewing online, so I have it embedded below.
Right after finishing up the final touches on Unmerited, I moved straight into making an orchestral arrangement of the traditional carol "Greensleeves" to be published in the cinematic Christmas album Exaltation: A Cinematic Christmas Collection. This was a very exciting project to work on and was the first collaborative music project put together by composers exclusively from the Rhapsodize Music Network. Every one of us had different skill sets and thus were able to contribute to the production of the album in different ways. The album is now available for purchase on iTunes, CD Baby, Google Play, and pretty much any other place that sells music online. The still time to get it before the holidays are over! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/exaltation-cinematic-christmas/id763593891
Last but definitely not least, I have been collaborating with composer James Everingham of Bristol, UK in producing a few tracks for his music licensing company. My jobs have primarily been orchestration and programming (basically, making the orchestral parts of the music sound realistic). So far, you can hear one of these tracks which he's published on his SoundCloud page:
Working with him has been great fun and I hope to collaborate more with him in the future!
Well, that about wraps it up! I hope you've enjoyed these ramblings on my latest endeavors. Heck, I might just have to keep up this little blog.
Cheers!
- Daniel
